Zulkarnain a political hitchhiker lost without direction - Umno Sabah

Borneo Post

02-05-2025

Rosman
KOTA KINABALU (May 2): Umno Sabah has taken note of the statement issued by Gerakan Kuasa Rakyat Malaysia (G57) chairman Datuk Zulkarnain Mahdar, an individual increasingly known not for championing the people's cause, but for his eagerness to create baseless political sensationalist, said Umno Sabah Strategic Communications director Datuk Rosman Datuk Ahir.
In his statement, Zulkarnain alleged that the supposedly abrasive attitude of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is the reason Sabahans are rejecting Umno, said Rosman.
'This accusation is not only unfounded but malicious in nature, clearly driven by personal political vendettas. Zulkarnain is not a member of Umno, holds no position in any party wing, and has never been mandated to speak on behalf of any mainstream political branch,' he said in a statement.
Zulkarnain
He also questioned who exactly was Zulkarnain to comment on Umno Sabah's internal affairs?
'His track record reveals more failures than achievements, with every political venture ending in disappointment. Now cloaked in the name of an NGO, he attempts to speak as though he is a key player in Sabah politics — when in truth, he is merely a hitchhiker in search of a platform and attention,' he claimed.
He described Bung Moktar is a principled leader, not a populist of no substance.
'His (Bung) firmness is not a sign of rudeness but of courage in defending Sabah's dignity within national politics. He has never bowed to external pressures or political enemies' agendas — these are the hallmarks of a leader who is neither for sale nor easily swayed.'
'In contrast, Zulkarnain Mahdar has become known for his opportunistic manoeuvres. He is everywhere, yet truly aligned with no one. Today he attacks Umno; tomorrow he's friendly with the opposition. Some have even questioned whether he now serves as an unofficial spokesperson for a particular party too fearful to speak openly,' he said.
Rosman said Zulkarnain's remarks are not only baseless — they exemplify the declining quality of political discourse when individuals like him are given media space without factual scrutiny.
He should instead focus on more meaningful NGO work, assuming there are still those who believe in his relevance to civil society.
'Umno Sabah issues a stern warning to any external party attempting to incite division or become a tool of political adversaries in the lead-up to the upcoming State Election.
'We will not remain silent in the face of efforts to fracture our unity. Zulkarnain may continue to write and speak, but he must not poison the home of others.
'Umno Sabah will continue to move forward with one aim: to ensure stability, fight for the rights of the people of Sabah, and defend this state from shameless political opportunists like Zulkarnain Mahdar,' said Rosman.
He was responding to Zulkarnain's statement that Umno's plan to place its Sabah chief, Bung Moktar, as the 'poster boy' is expected to hasten the party's undoing in the coming state elections.
Zulkarnain recalled that Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) had only won 14 out of 31 seats it contested in the 16th state elections, and he does not foresee that Umno Sabah will rise again, especially after its failed attempt with Parti Warisan (Warisan) to topple Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in 2023.
Umno Libaran Youth chief Shariff Ismarhafiz SH Abdul Rahman also criticised Zulkarnain.
'I am compelled to comment on a rather peculiar phenomenon in the current political landscape of Sabah — the increasing presence of Zulkarnain Mahdar, whose name is now more synonymous with police reports than with meaningful political advocacy,' said Shariff in a statement today.
He claimed that Zulkarnain's apparent hobby has become the subject of local political satire.
'One wonders how many police reports have been filed under his name, particularly at the Kota Kinabalu Police Station — all involving fellow politicians. Report after report, with the same tone: provocative, baseless, and clearly politically motivated,' he alleged.
'I can't help but ask — is he aiming for a record in the Malaysia Book of Records as the 'individual with the most police reports filed against politicians'?'
Shariff reminded Zulkarnain that he is neither a community leader, nor a party figure, nor even a genuine activist.
'He is merely an attention-seeker who has turned the act of filing police reports into a personal stage to remain relevant,' he said.
He claimed that for Zulkarnain, politics is no longer a platform for service, but a tool for self-promotion — at the cost of public resources and the integrity of the democratic system.
'This brand of politics is deeply troubling. The tendency to lodge police reports arbitrarily against political figures, without substantial grounds and purely to shape negative public perception, is both irresponsible and reckless,' he added.
He said it not only burdens law enforcement officers — who should be focusing on more pressing matters — but also reflects a worrying lack of ideas and maturity in political engagement.
'Zulkarnain must realise that the public does not judge a person by the number of police reports they file.
'People want to see who is truly serving the community, who is speaking up on issues of development, cost of living, education, and the future of Sabah. Sadly, in all these areas, his name is nowhere to be found. There is not a single meaningful contribution of his that can be highlighted with pride.'
'I would like to offer Zulkarnain Mahdar one simple piece of advice: enough with turning police stations into campaign grounds. Politics is not a daily soap opera to be driven by emotion. If one cannot serve with sincerity and substance, perhaps it is best to pursue another line of work. Sabah does not need agitators — we need genuine fighters for the people.'